Chapter Thirty-Two: An Ancient River's Visit

"I'm not dead, am I? Why shouldn't I be able to speak?"

Nalan Jie had barely escaped death, paying a tremendous price for it, and now, hearing his own son say such things, he was so angered that he could hardly contain himself. If Lin An hadn't asked him to pretend for a few more days, he might have given his useless son a good beating right then.

"How could that be? Father, are you already well again?" Nalan Su asked further.

"The poison hasn't been completely purged yet. By my estimation, after another two treatments, the branded poison in the old master's body should be entirely cleansed!"

Fearing he might say the wrong thing, Nalan Jie glanced at Lin An.

Lin An, unconcerned, spoke directly.

"You truly are a great benefactor to the Nalan family. We will always remember this debt of gratitude," Nalan Su said gratefully.

"It goes beyond a debt to remember—our entire family is now involved," Nalan Jie couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

"Enough, the old master has just awakened. Get the kitchen to quickly prepare something to eat, then let the old master rest well for the night," Nalan Su instructed.

"Yanran, make sure to host Brother Lin An properly," Nalan Su added.

"Don't worry, Father. I certainly will," Nalan Yanran replied.

She hadn't held out much hope, and before her father had come in, she had resigned herself to the worst. Who could have guessed that the moment she entered, she would witness such a scene? She hadn't expected the strange fire to actually help drive out her grandfather's poison. If she had known, she would have brought her junior brother much earlier, sparing her grandfather much suffering.

"Grandfather..."

Nalan Yanran, knowing her grandfather's temper, called out to him with a bit of trepidation.

"Yes, it's good that you're home, it's good that you're home!"

Nalan Jie had intended to scold Yanran a bit, but when he saw Lin An, the words died instantly in his throat.

Nalan Yanran began to doubt her own ears; perhaps something was wrong with them. Or maybe her grandfather had been switched with someone else!

"Grandfather, you're not angry with me anymore?" she asked cautiously.

"Lin An has cured my illness; how could I possibly blame you now? This was the fault of us elders from the start. You young people should handle your own affairs. In the future, whoever you like, whom you wish to marry, will all be your own choice. I won't interfere anymore," Nalan Jie said with a smile.

Since witnessing Lin An's miraculous abilities, Nalan Jie knew which path to choose. Besides, the engagement had already been broken, and what was done was done; all that was left was to properly compensate the Xiao family.

"Wonderful! I knew Grandfather was the best!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed with delight.

Nalan Jie sighed; perhaps, from the very beginning, it had all been their mistake.

Seeing that matters were settled, Lin An took the initiative to bid farewell. Nalan Su did not try to stop him; it was late, and indeed everyone needed rest.

"Yanran, Lin An is a fine young man. Since you wish to pursue your own happiness, you must seize the opportunity," Nalan Jie said.

"Grandfather, what are you saying? My junior brother and I... we're just..." Yanran blushed bright red, mortified that her grandfather would bring up such a topic just as her junior brother left. She wanted nothing more than to flee the room.

"Having lived this long, if I couldn't see through such a little secret of yours, then these years would have been for nothing," Nalan Jie said with a laugh.

Having accepted the reality, Nalan Jie felt this situation wasn't so unacceptable after all.

"Congratulations, young master, you have gained another capable ally," Yao Chen said with a smile.

"The Nalan family is decent, but... I still can't reveal too much. My strength is still lacking. If only I had the power of a Dou Huang, then I could act without restraint," Lin An replied.

"I believe it won't be long before you reach the Dou Huang level, young master! This is the Jia Ma Empire, and I'm sure we can find many spiritual herbs here. When the time comes, I'll refine more pills for you to help you break through," Yao Chen promised.

"Very well, I'll leave that to you," Lin An nodded, then allowed Yao Chen to take his leave and himself returned to cultivation.

Before dawn the next day, news that Old Master Nalan Jie could speak again spread throughout the imperial capital.

Several great families and members of the royal household soon heard the news, though the lesser families still harbored doubts. After all, just yesterday there were rumors that Old Master Nalan Jie was on his deathbed, and now, after only one night, he was said to be recovering? Hardly anyone would believe it. Even Gu He had found nothing to be done for the branded poison in Nalan Jie's body; how could anyone believe he could recover so quickly?

"Young master, Gu He wishes to see you. He is already at the Nalan estate,"

Upon hearing of Nalan Jie's recovery, Gu He had immediately come to the Nalan family. When he learned that the one who had cured Nalan Jie was Lin An of the Cloud Mist Sect, his curiosity deepened. Not long ago, Yun Yun had sent him a message, telling him that her newly accepted disciple Lin An had unparalleled talent in alchemy, and she hoped he would consider taking Lin An as a student. He had planned to visit the Cloud Mist Sect when time allowed to see for himself this Lin An, whose talent had earned Yun Yun's praise.

He hadn't yet arrived, but already he heard Lin An had come to the capital—and cured Nalan Jie of an illness even he had been powerless against?

How could he not be interested in Lin An now?

He had already explained the method for curing Nalan Jie. Given Lin An's youth, the only possibility was that a strange flame had been used to expel the poison. Still, even if the strange flame helped, Nalan Jie's condition was terminal; driving out the poison once or twice should have made little difference—at most, it would keep the poison from worsening.

But Nalan Jie's condition could not fool his eyes; the old master's body was now entirely free of illness, thoroughly cured. The only reason it wasn't publicly announced was for the sake of caution, and that he could understand.

Moreover, to have refined a strange flame at such a young age... Whatever the reason, Lin An had truly piqued his interest.

"Gu He? Why does he want to see me?" Lin An was surprised.

"Perhaps it's because Sect Leader Yun Yun sent him a message, hoping he would guide you in alchemy. Or maybe it's because you healed Nalan Jie, and he wants to meet you," Yao Chen speculated.

"In any case, Gu He is highly respected in both the Jia Ma Empire and the Cloud Mist Sect. It would be rather rude to refuse him."

"In that case, let us go and meet him," Lin An said.

With that, Yao Chen led the way, and together they made their way to the Nalan family's main hall.